Brewers Director of New Media Caitlin Moyer gives Brewers fans an inside look at the Milwaukee Brewers and what's going on at One Brewers Way.

May 2010

I don’t know about you, but this year the marketing department is looking forward to summer even more than usual.

It could be the taste of warmer weather this week or that the days are getting longer, but mostly, I think it is the work we have been doing on all of the special ticket packages we have with local events and attractions like Summerfest, State Fair, the Zoo and more.

Everyone in our department has a favorite package and as we wait for the summer to heat up, I thought I’d give you the scoop on the hottest ticket packages to the coolest places in town.

First up is Summerfest. If you’re like me, you’ve already circled all the acts you want to see.At the risk of subjecting my musical tastes to scrutiny, I’m personally looking forward to seeing Sheryl Crow, Dierks Bentley and Phil Vassar this year. Yes, I am a country girl.So, anyway, my friends and I will be going to Summerfest at least three times this year and I’m encouraging them to purchase our Brewers-Summerfest ticket package, which includes a Terrace Reserved ticket to one of the Brewers vs. Giants games (7/5, 7/6, 7/7 or 7/8), a general admission Summerfest ticket (good any day, June 24-July 4) and this awesome Brewers-Summerfest t-shirt:

At just $25, this package is an absolute steal. Summerfest tickets are regularly $16 each and our Terrace Reserved seats areregularly $15 each, so that’s a $6 savings right there, plus you also get the tee. (Offer ends 6/23.)

Next, we’ve got our Brew Crew and the Zoo ticket package… Just $18 gets you one Terrace Reserved ticket to select games at Miller Park (6/24, 7/8, 7/27, 8/9, 8/26 or 9/21), one 2010 adult admission ticket to the Milwaukee County Zoo and this really cool tote bag: Again, a fantabulous deal…a savings of over $10, plus the free tote bag!

Kelly Candotti, our Consumer Marketing Coordinator, is always up for a visit to the Milwaukee County Zoo to see what new things they have in store, as well as her favorite animals, the penguins. Why penguins, you ask? Because what girl doesn’t like a tuxedo! I think she’s also planning on using her Zoo ticket for Zoo a la Carte, August 19-22. If you’re not familiar with Zoo a la Carte, it’s a really fun “Feast with the Beasts” food and music festival. The Zoo is typically open late and you can enjoy performances from some of the hottest local and national bands, while feasting on delicious fare from over 25 area restaurants.

I’ve also caught Kelly using her tote bag to carry around her knitting supplies, but that’s another story for another post…

In 2009, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers became the Brewers’ Class-A Midwest League affiliate, which is great for the Baseball Operations side of our business. It is great for the Marketing side of our business as well. We’ve had a lot of fun developing cross-promotional opportunities, including: the creation of two different Bernie-Fang Bobble Heads; different in-game promotions at the T-Rats games (played at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton, Wisconsin); playing two Minor League games here at Miller Park; the creation of this joint ticket package and more.

With our Fang-Tastic Ticket Package (named after the Timber Rattlers’ mascot, Fang), for just $16, fans can get one Terrace Reserved ticket to select Brewers home games (5/29, 6/23, 7/5, 8/27 or 9/6), one Reserved Bleacher ticket to one of six Wisconsin Timber Rattlers home games in Appleton and this special Brewers-Timber Rattlers cap:

(Offer ends 8/31.)

Jeff Harding is our Graphic Designer here at the Brewers and besides being an all-around great guy to work with and in addition to being involved in promoting all of these ticket packages through our advertising and having designed the aforementioned Summerfest T-shirt, Zoo Tote Bag and Timber Rattlers Cap, Jeff has a special place in his heart for the Timber Rattlers.

Jeff was born and raised on a farm in Neenah, Wisconsin and has grown up going to the games up in Appleton (he remembers when the Timber Rattlers were called the Appleton Foxes); the team sparked his interest in baseball as a young lad and….here he is today!

Our ticket package with State Fair (Brewers “Fair Fridays”) is always a fan-favorite. My boss, Kathy Schwab, Senior Director of Marketing, loves the pig races almost as much as she loves the Sausage Race here at Miller Park, so we make sure we get to see those every year. It’s also fun to see all of the different animals, exhibits and other forms of entertainment. On top of that, it is difficult to resist all of the delectable delights the Fair has to offer–from the flavored milk to the cream puffs to the abundance of offerings “on a stick”, State Fair has something for everyone.For just $25, fans can get two Terrace Reserved tickets to one of four remaining Brewers “Fair Friday” games (5/28 (tomorrow!), 6/11, 7/23 and 8/27) and two Wisconsin State Fair adult gate admission tickets (valid any day, 8/5-8/15).Again, we wouldn’t be offering this package if it wasn’t such a fantastic deal. Brewers Terrace Reserved seats are $15 each and State Fair tickets are regularly $9 each, so that’s a $23 savings for fans. (Offer ends 7/30.)

Our Data Analyst, Diny Hurwitz, is known in our office for being a little, oh shall we say… frugal? And with the way the economy is today, that’s definitely not a bad thing. So, needless to say, he knows a good deal when he sees one and the Brewers-Potawatomi Doubleheader is just that. For just $40, fans can get one Field Outfield ticket to select Tuesday Brewers games (6/29, 7/27, 8/10 and 9/21), plus a $25Potawatomi Bingo CasinoRestaurant Gift Card, valid for food and beverage at any of the casino’s five unique restaurants. Our Field Outfield tickets are $40 regularly, so one would be remiss to NOT purchase this package, which basically includes a free $25 gift card that can be used at Dream Dance Steak, RuYi, the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill, the Buffet or the Menomonee Valley Food Court. After dinner, you can enjoy some of the entertainment Potawatomi has to offer, like shows at the Northern Lights Theater.Of course, some restrictions apply when purchasing this package, so make sure you visit brewers.com/potawatomi for details.

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got our Harley-Davidson Double Play. Our Manager of Emerging Markets, Thad McGrew, hails from California. While he loves baseball and the Brewers, and while he’d probably never admit this, he might even love basketball –particularly his Los Angeles Lakers– just a little more. Head coach of the Lakers, Phil Jackson, is one the many famous Harley-Davidson Motorcycle riders and thus, it’s really no surprise that our own Thad McGrew is also a big fan of the brand. That’s why visiting the Harley-Davidson Museum« was on his list of must-see Milwaukee attractions when it opened in 2008. For just $16, fans can get one Terrace Reserved ticket to select Monday or Friday Brewers games and one 2010 adult admission ticket to the Harley-Davidson Museum«. This package provides a great excuse for Thad and other Brewers fans to take their own road trip right down Canal Street to check out the Museum.

So there you have it. You don’t need to plan an exotic vacation this summer; you can have your own mini “staycation” by checking out each of our six different partner ticket packages that feature one common theme — Milwaukee Brewers Baseball.When you put them all together, you’ve got yourself one busy — and super fun — summer.Enjoy!

The first returns for All-Star balloting will be announced next week.Voting has been going on for about a month and while some say voting might start too early, there are certainly some Brewers who are worthy of a selection.Today, I will focus the attention on two Brewers players who have been “swinging a hot bat,” as Brian Anderson would like to say.Ryan Braun and Casey McGehee have been very strong and consistent all season for the Brewers.

Entering Friday’s game, Braun is among the League leaders in pretty much all offensive statistical categories.Among National League outfielders Braun leads the league in Hits (52) and is second in runs scored (34), batting average (.333), multi-hit games (16) and on base percentage (.413).Not to mention, he is averaging 8.52 plate appearances per strikeout, third most among NL outfielders.

Braun has used his speed to advance on the base paths this season.His nine stolen bases are 4th among NL outfielders and he is one of two NL outfielders without a caught stealing this season (teammate Carlos Gomez is the other one).Braun also ranks 4th among NL outfielders in total bases (86) and RBI (4th).

Among third basemen this season, McGehee is first in batting average (.325), hits (49), RBI (37), On-Base Percentage (.395) and OPS (.965).He is second in both home runs (9) and slugging percentage (.570).Overall in the National League, McGehee ranks high in two clutch hitting stats, RBI after the 7th inning (1st, 18) and go-ahead RBI (T6th, 8).

Together, Braun and McGehee enter tonight’s game leading the Major Leagues in combined RBI (67) this season.There are three other duos in MLB with 65, but none can match Braun and McGehee’s 67.

Braun has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons and is putting up All-Star numbers again this season.McGehee–a waiver claim by the Brewers–has also proved to the National League that he can put up All-Star numbers.Continue to get out the vote and send this duo to the All-Star game! Click here to vote.

Also, please continue to submit your favorite Brewers license plates you have seen driving around the state!We have seen a couple of submissions so far and I have seen a couple of creative ones on the road, keep them coming in!

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Today, we launched a very special ticket package called Rickie Goes to Bat for Diabetes, supported by RedPrairie. For just $149, fans can purchase a ticket to the Gehl Club at Miller Park for the Friday, May 28 game vs. the New York Mets at 7:10p.

In addition, for each ticket purchased, fans will receive an autographed Rickie Weeks bat and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Diabetes Association.

Besides being a great offer for a great cause, this is a unique opportunity to purchase individual tickets to the Gehl Club, one of the most popular all-inclusive areas at Miller Park, which is normally only available for group purchase.

Fans taking advantage of the offer will be able to enjoy the full buffet in the Gehl Club, including two complimentary glasses of wine or beer. Fans will receive their Weeks autographed bat on the night of the game.

Tickets for this special offer are limited and can be purchased by calling the Brewers ticket office at (414) 902-GAME (4263) or by visiting brewers.com/giveback.

Proceeds from this event will flow to Brewers Community Foundation, the official charity of the Milwaukee Brewers Baseball Club, and all donations will be specifically earmarked for American Diabetes Association. Funds generated by Brewers fans benefit American Diabetes Association of Wisconsin.

I hope you all will come out to Miller Park to join Rickie Weeks and RedPrairie in supporting such a wonderful organization and cause!

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If you haven’t already done so, time is running out to nominate someone for the 2010 Major League Baseball and PEOPLE magazine’s “All-Stars Among Us” contest.

Major League Baseball and PEOPLE magazine invite you to nominate individuals who have gone above and beyond to serve their community. Maybe they have mentored disadvantaged children, helped to build houses, cared for abandoned pets or raised awareness for important issues or causes. You can even nominate yourself.

To participate, simply visit peopleallstars.com and enter the information about your everyday All-Star. Submissions include photos, Club affiliation and a brief description of how the nominee has gone above and beyond the call of duty to serve his/her community in extraordinary ways.

Three finalists will be selected per Club for the public to vote on at peopleallstars.com from June 1-20. A total of 30 everyday All-Stars (one representing each MLB team) will be honored at the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim on July 13 and one will even be featured in PEOPLE magazine!

Brewers fans have a strong history of being active in the community, so I am sure everyone knows someone they can nominate that will represent us well in Anaheim. But you’ll have to hurry, the nomination deadline is tomorrow, Friday, May 14.

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